Playing with embossing folders and diffuser plates

Happy Sunday to you,

Do you have paper crafting supplies you thought you needed to have, but that ended up lying in your stash, unused? This is what happened to me with Sizzix diffuser plates: When I saw them somewhere for the first time I thought the product idea was just brilliant. Definitely something I had to have! But then when I got myself a package of plates, I did not try them out right away. And after a while I had already forgotten I even had a pack. I discovered the plates again a while ago when going through my box of embossing folders. Maybe I should try them out now?

Since I had purchased the diffuser plates I had learned new ways of using embossing folders and dry embossed papers. One of my favorite techniques is inking, which beautifully reveals the embossed texture. So when I found my diffuser plates again I thought I should try combining the diffuser embossing technique with inking. And I loved it! I was amazed how easy they were to use, and after the first trials my head started buzzing with new ideas of how to use them.


Mukavaa sunnuntaita sinulle,
Onko sinulla varastossasi askartelutarvikkeita, jotka olet hankkinut, koska luulit niitä ehdottomasti taritsevasi, mutta jotka ovat jääneet tarvikelaatikon pohjalle lojumaan käyttämättöminä? Minulla kävi näin Sizzixin diffuser-levyjen kanssa. Kun näin levyt jossain ensimmäisen kerran, pidin tuoteideaa kerrassaan mainiona. Miten paljon mahdollisuuksia niihin liittyikään! Mutta kun viimein sain levypaketin käsiini, levyt eivät päätyneetkään heti käyttöön. Eikä kulunut kauaakaan, kun jo unohdin koko paketin, ja levyt unohtuivat tarvikelaatikkoon. Löysin levypaketin sattumalta kohokuviointikansioiden joukosta ja mietin, pitäisiköhän näitä viimein kokeilla?

Diffuser-levyjen hankinnan jälkeen olen oppinut käyttämään kohokuviointikansioita ja kohokuvioituja elementtejä askarteluprojekteissani aiempaa monipuolisemmin. Yksi suosikkitekniikoistani on kohokuvioidun pinnan värjääminen musteella, jolla kohokuviotekstuurin saa korostettua mukavalla tavalla. Kun diffuser-levypaketti osui käyteeni pohdin, voisikohan levyjä käyttää yhdessä tämän värjäystekniikan kanssa. Kyllä!!




I started with stamping the images with black Archival Ink on heavy office paper. The office paper I'm using has a slightly glossy surface which is perfect for using markers for coloring. These images were colored using only different shades of grey, and a hint of light brown.
Stamps: Stampendous ('Garden Gal' on the right); Inkido (on the left)

Aloitin leimaamalla kuvat paksulle valkoiselle toimistopaperille. Paperissa on hieman kiiltävä pinta, mikä on omiaan tusseilla värittämiseen. Leimamusteena käytin mustaa Archival Inkia, ja värittämiseen useaa mustan ja harmaan sävyä sekä vaaleanruskeaa.
Leimasimet: Stampendous ('Garden Gal' oikealla), Inkido (vasemmalla)










Diffuser plates are used in the embossing sandwich over the embossing folder, instead of the upper cutting plate. The pressure of the machine does not emboss the area in the opening, creating a frame around the opening shape. An instruction sheet in pdf can be downloaded here.

Diffuser-levyjä käytetään kohokuviointikansion päällä, ylimmän leikkuulevyn tilalla. Levyn aukon kohdalla kone ei purista kohokuvioitavaa paperia, jolloin aukon muotoinen alue jää sileäksi ja vain reunat kuvioituvat. Levyjen käyttöohjee pdf-muodossa on täällä.


I placed the colored image inside the embossing folder, placed the diffuser plate over it revealing the image in the opening. If you feel the diffuser is moving and want to secure your sandwich, tape the layers together with a little piece of masking tape.

Laitoin väritetyn leimakuvan kohokansion sisään ja asetin diffuser-levyn pinon päälle niin, että leimakuva näkyi levyn aukosta. Jos levy tuntuu liikkuvan kohokuviointikansion päällä, voit kiinnittää kerrokset toisiinsa pienellä teipinpalalla.





I colored the embossed frame by inking the texture with brown and black Distress Inks. For best result use an ink applicator and a non-stick crafting sheet underneath. Start working from the edges towards the center, using circular motion, and adding ink little by little.

Värjäsin kuvan kohokuvioidut reunat hieromalla paperin pintaan mustaa ja ruskeaa leimamustetta. Kohokuvioidun pinnan värjäämiseen kannattaa käyttää musteenlevitintä ja tarttumatonta askartelualustaa (kestoleivinpaperi toimii hyvin). Työskentele pyörivin liikkein, aloittaen paperin reunoilta ja edeten kohti keskustaa. Mustetta kannattaa lisätä useassa kerroksessa, vähän kerrallaan.



For highlighting the stamped images I used simple die-cut frames.
For the light brown frame I die-cut a thin circle frame (used two nesting dies on one go) , and covered it by wrapping embroidery yarn around it. Two-sided tape on the back held the yarn in its place. I used the same circle die for removing the center of a white paper doily I placed under the frame.
The other frame I die-cut using red and white cardstock and Sizzix Framelits frame dies.

Kehystin leimakuvat yksinkertaisilla stanssatuilla kehyksillä.
Vaaleanruskeaa kehystä varten stanssasin ympyräkehyksen, jonka päällystin kietomalla sen ympäri kirjontalankaa. Kehyksen leikkaamiseen käytin kahta ympyrästanssia, jotka asetin leikkuulevylle sisäkkäin. Poistin samaa stanssia käyttäen myös keskustan pyöreästä kakkupaperista. Kakkupaperikehyksen kiinnitin kirjontalankakehyksen alle.
Toinen kehys on stanssattu valkoisesta ja punaisesta kartongista Sizzix Framelits -kehysstansseilla.


I finished the cards with die-cutting decorative borders from white cardstock and matting the card fronts on darker color paper. (More info on the Thinlits die used here).

Viimeistelin kortit stanssaamalla koristereunukset valkoisesta kartongista, ja reunustamalla kortit tummalla kartongilla. (Lisätietoa koristereunaan käytetystä stanssista täällä).





Happy crafting!

Mukavia askarteluhetkiä!
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Layout for Creative Scrappers DT: My Superstar

Hi to You,

A new Creative Scrappers sketch has been revealed! Sketch #278 is just perfect for showcasing a group of small instagram type photos; hop over to Creative Scrappers blog for viewing all the gorgeous layouts the design team has created for your inspiration!



Here's my take on the sketch:



Already a while back I had taken a series of pictures of my son running in his Ronaldo football outfit, and even if the series contained lots of pictures I decided to use only 3 of them on this page. I matched the papers and embellishments to the red and green colors on the pictures, and balanced the strong contrasting colors with some lighter shades of grey and white. Lots of layers, a few stamped details, strips of washi tape, and some splashes of white acrylic paint. A fun project to make!


I liked the striped alpha stickers a lot, but thought they needed a bit more green. Using a small sponge and green Archival ink I inked the bottom halves of the letters; I think the end result looks quite nice.





This layout was my last page as a member of Creative Scrappers DT. I want to thank Kristine Davidson for this great opportunity; it was a true honor being part of this talented team! And big thank to all the girls in the team - thank you for all the inspiration you have given me during the past 3 months!



I would love to see your take on sketch #278, and would also like to remind you  that there's a great price to be won: My Creative Scrapbook has provided us an amazing kit for one lucky challenge participant. To win a prize all you need to do is create a layout and enter the challenges using the inlinkz widget at the end of the reveals for Sketches 277-278. Deadline to submit your layout is September 30th at Midnight EST.

Happy crafting!
Hugs,
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Craft Stamper Magazine TIMI: Paper mache horse makeover!

Hi and happy Friday to you,

In September the Craft Stamper Magazine Take It, Make It challenge is about stamping onto tissue paper. This technique is perfect when decorating textured or curvy surfaces that would otherwise be difficult to stamp on. It can also be used on smooth surfaces for creating extra texture or layers of stamped images. The great thing about this technique is that the tissue paper becomes nearly invisible when attached onto the surface using a wet medium like gel medium. For best result I recommend you brush gel medium both under and on top of the stamped image. On heavy textured backgrounds your fingers will be the best tools for attaching the image onto the surface.

This time I wanted to try the technique on a 3D project. For this I had purchased a 10 cm tall paper mache horse from our local crafting store. This is how it looked in the beginning:


I started with covering the horse entirely with gesso. This prevented the paints from soaking into the paper mache. Once dry I painted the horse with a mixture of white acrylic paint and turquoise/blue mists. I wanted the base color to have some variation, and the mixed paint with different shades of turquoise served that purpose perfectly.


For decorating the horse I used this background stamp. Using black Archival ink I stamped the image a few times on white tissue paper. I cut out pieces of the image, and glued them on the horse with gel medium.

When finished I added a bit of black gesso here and there, rubbed the excess off, and highlighted parts of the horse with copper colored Perfect Pearls. Finished!

This is how the little horse looks now:



I LOVE it. It turned out just the way I wanted.


Take It, Make It design team has made many inspiring projects using this technique, just click here to have a look at the collection of their recent projects.
I hope you play along - there's a great price to be won!

Wishing you a great, inspiring weekend!
Hugs,
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Layout for 123 Get Scrappy! DT: Love you to the moon and back

Hi!
A great new challenge sketch has been revealed at 123 Get Scrappy!



There were a few inspiring lines to choose from, but then I decided to follow the top line:
Lots of Leaves - Zig Zags - Hexagons

And here's the finished layout I used those elements on:


The layout background is white cardstock I decorated with light pink acrylic paint I spread with a brayer. On the painted area I glued down a honey comb grid I cut with my Silhouette Cameo. Paper is 'Wordsmith' from Studio Calico Lemon Lush collection.


Above's the image I made for this purpose - if you want to download the Studio cut file it just click here!


The leaves are die-cut with Sizzix Big Shot using this die. As paper I used heavy watercolor paper, and painted the leaves using black Distress ink as my watercolor.



I finished the page by sewing zig zag stitches on the background, and attaching the title letters. Little bead seeds are glued on the branches with gel medium.


I hope you get inspired and play along!

Happy crafting,
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Woodland Creatures by Sizzix: Love that little fox! Part II

Hello,

Yesterday I showed you two cards I had made with Sizzix free downloadable papers and the Sizzix Woodland Creatures collection Bigz die 'Fox Face'. After finishing two Woodland style cards I wanted to try using the fox image something with a bit different look.

So let me introduce you to the Woodland's festive couple!



For accessing and downloading 12 printable papers and 6 project tutorials free on Sizzix blog *Click Here*.

The card background is very simple: The grey card background is free paper #12, and I mat it on black cardstock. Before gluing down I inked the edges with black Distress ink to create a vignette effect.


Cardmaking ideas with Sizzix / Big Shot

The fox faces are cut from paper #11. White faces are cut from felt. The lady foxe's necklace is made from the little circles included on the die (same pieces I used for eyes and nose), and the head decoration is die-cut using a Sizzix thinlits doily die (the one I used is no longer available at Sizzix UK store, but I could have used this newer one as well). For both decoration elements I used free paper #9.


Cardmaking ideas with Sizzix / Big Shot

The gentleman's bow is free-cut from black cardstock, as I did not have a Sizzix bow die (like this or this

Cardmaking ideas with Sizzix / Big Shot


Cardmaking ideas with Sizzix / Big Shot

Hope you like this couple!

Have a great day,
hugs,

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Woodland Creatures by Sizzix: Love that little fox! Part I

Hi!
Last weekend I wanted to try how many different card styles I could make using the same papers and only one Sizzix die image. Well, if the design of the image is great, the task isn't tricky at all. In a matter of fact, first I did a few simple cards for my kids as they had a couple of birthday parties on their agendas and there was a quick need for some 'finished-in-a-few-minutes' type cards. Then I  started playing with these projects, and after they were finished I already had new ideas cooking in my head for cards with a bit different feeling (I will show you those later this week).

I have to admit that I'm not a huge fan of super cute images. Many of them appear a bit childish to me, and if I'm not making something for or with my kids, they are bit difficult to work with. However, the Woodland Creatures collection by Sizzix/Debi Potter was a positive exception: The longer I played with the Sizzix Bigz Fox Face die the more I loved it. I was amazed how versatile a single die can be!

Sizzix has put out a collection of project ideas and printable papers for you to download. For free! My projects are made using these printable papers. In addition to the printable papers I only needed some pieces of black cardstock, white felt, and white cardstock for card base. Just follow *this link* to the Sizzix / Woodland Creatures web page, enter your e-mail address and get access to 12 printable papers and 6 project tutorials. Cool!

Whenever I'm playing with water soluble inks, I tend to add water splashes on the inked surface. When using a normal ink jet printer on heavy office paper the printed image acts very similar to the inked paper. I splashed the tag sized paper with water and wiped off the excess with paper towel before drying. On the larger card I misted water through a piece of punchinella, dabbed off the excess water with a paper towel, and dried the card with heat gun. I loved the end result! This technique will be used again, that's for sure!



The tag is die-cut using Tag and Bookplates die, and paper #12.


Card background is made from papers #12 and #9. The bushes are die-cut from leaf patterned paper #3, using Sizzix Bigz Tree & Heart die.



And here are my finished projects:


White parts of the faces and the tail tips are die-cut from white felt. That's one thing I love about Bigz dies that you can cut so many different materials with it!
Tails are hand drawn on paper #11 and cut with scissors.




Sentiment stamp and die is from a recently published Sizzix Framelits Die Set 8PK w/Stamps - Hello by Hampton Art / Jillibean Soup.


Happy crafting!
Hugs,
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Layout for Creative Scrappers DT: Beautiful

Hi!
It's Sunday, and reveal of a new great Creative Scrappers sketch! This one-photo sketch by Jenny Evans is perfect for using your instagram pictures, as well as layering and clustering pieces of your favorite patterned papers. Using only one single photo is common for my layouts, so this challenge took me right into my comfort zone :D



White triangle lines in the background are made by applying white texture paste over a stencil (stencil by Julie Fei Fan Balzer from The Crafters Workshop). I did not want to use the entire design but only single triangle lines, so for making the applying of texture paste easier I covered parts of the stencil with masking tape.


The little birdies are Prima resist canvas elements I sprayed with red and purple mists.




Follow this link to Creative Scrappers blog to view all amazing projects by the Design team.
Remember to link your project to the inlinkz gallery by September 30th, and you have a chance to wih an amazing kit by My Creative Scrapbook!



Please also note that the Creative Scrappers DT Call ends on Wednesday. More information about the call can be read here. Kristine is looking forward to receiving your application! :D

Have a nice day - Hugs,
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